This Saturday, OGC Nice were beaten away at Lille in matchday 35 of Ligue 1 (2-0).

Against the leaders Lille it was a tough task for the Aiglons. Despite a good run of form and some confidence built up from an unchanged starting line-up from the game against Montpellier a week ago it wasn’t to be.

In a 4-3-3 the Gym were barely allowed to breath in the first 45 minutes. With the Dogues pressing constantly in their 4-4-2 formation they put a lot of intensity in to win the ball back and were then able to keep it for long periods.

They were quickly ahead thanks to a Burak Yilmaz goal who opened his foot up well to turn home Jonathan David’s knockdown after Reinildo’s cross (1-0, 13’). Lille didn’t create many opportunities in the first half but were in control for most of the first 45 minutes and tired the Aiglons. That first half intensity made the second period easier for them.

The Niçois were timid going forward. In the first half barring an Atal run down the line that ended with a cross boxed away by Maignan and a Claude-Maurice free kick that evaded everyone Nice never really worried the best defence in Ligue 1. After ACM’s free kick Maignan quickly passed the ball out to David who broke quickly and was denied by Kamara just in time to avoid the lead doubling…

The second goal came a few minutes later after the break. Despite better intentions, the Aiglons made their task more difficult when Jordan Lotomba was sent off for a second yellow card (48’). And it got worse as Celik doubled the lead with a fantastic half volley from the edge of the area (2-0, 56’). The LOSC right back met Reinildo’s cross (crucial in both goals) after Saliba’s header out to hit home.

Two goals and a man down the Gym tried to push forward. Atal overlapped twice down the right, but the centre backs were always there to deny the opportunities. The home team let the Aiglons have the ball but attacked on the break at the end of the game. Played through by David, Yilmaz hit the post (63’). David then wasn’t able to control the ball inside the box (66’).

Adrian Ursea sent Flavius Daniliuc Stanley Nsoki, Andy Pelmard and Pierre Lees-Melou on for Rony Lopes, Youcef Atal, Hassane Kamara and Hicham Boudaoui.

Despite the substitutions Nice couldn’t cause the LOSC too many problems as they controlled the end of the game and even created more chances that they didn’t take. And after this win they were back at the top of Ligue 1.

Next game for the Gym is the home game against Brest next Sunday (matchday 36, kick off at 15:00).

The game in pictures:

Adrian Ursea named the same starting eleven as against Montpellier (3-1) with Youcef Atal starting

Battle of the midfielders between Benjamin André and Hicham Boudaoui

Ex-Lille man Rony Lopes faced his old side

Alexis Claude-Maurice tried to make his way past Sven Botman and Reinildo

William Saliba

Red card for Jordan Lotomba in the 48’

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